Memory Games and a Childlike Faith

The morning sun has come up and is now casting its warm glowing streaks across the farmland...The magnificent Rocky Mountains towering strong and beautiful in the background.

Everyday is like a clean slate in which to work out life's story problems such as we all probably did in Arithmetic in grade school. :) Today, I desire for my slate to reflect Jesus Christ nature and His very presence. I don't want it all filled up with scribbled out messes, but rather neat and everything beautifully written. And because of Christ within me, I long that, when I tally up the sum of my day, I and my precious little family will see His fingerprints all over it!

Last week Harriston came to me with our homemade memory game and wanted me to play with him. It had been a school project for Cameron last year to make this game and he did a really swell job! We focused on things that our family was either currently walking in or things we were excitedly anticipating God working out, and that was the theme of our game. Cameron drew pictures to go with the verses and quotes. He also chose to draw a cross on each card for when it lays face down.

Backing up a bit.....

Our family had been currently looking ahead to our move West and while still in Florida we poured over hundreds of houses trying to find one to rent....Some days  (many actually!!) I would think, "now today has got to be the day we find one"...each time we came up feeling pretty empty and little bit downright crazy!! We relied  heavily on the verse "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you". Sometimes as I pulled myself from the computer I would think, "Who are we kidding??!!"  

We lived in a beautiful home on 6 acres of divided ranch land, had a pond for fishing, a large shop for projects, plenty of room for the boys fort building, wrap around porches that Mike and I loved for early mornings as the world was still waking up, praying and sipping our coffee..the kiddos would make their way out sometimes with their fuzzy blankets and we'd cuddle them and look forward to our day together. Had a small country town, a fire place which we used a lot in the winter, had magnificent views of both the sunrise and sunsets....

We would see all these beautiful homes for rent in these development communities, but that's all it was- a house!! We were accustomed to country living....how were our kids ever gonna manage?? How were close neighbors gonna manage with us?! ;) 

We tried to keep our focus 10 years out.....we could still have our beautiful country home in 10 years, but then what?? So we began to prepare our kids of the great possibility of town living and explained that this was perhaps how God wanted our next season of life. We prepared to move and continued our house search...

Here's my journal entry for March 2, 2014 @ 5:35am

"It seems almost unbelievable! but Lord willing, we move to lovely Colorado in 2 weeks. It has mostly been a quiet acceptance or quiet happiness, serene joy...however it can be described. Instead of the jump up and down, do the happy dance kind of excitement.......

But we have totally given up that we will find a house (before we move) but we will see. We will keep looking..."

Over a week later, through someone who knew someone, a cottage became available for us! It's kind of funny, because even tho' we were glad to have a house, we were just as glad if not more, that now perhaps we wouldn't look so completely crazy in following our peace and moving even with no house lined up!! ;)

Around a week later, we drove away from our laid back  country town of Myakka City, Fl and looked ahead to a beautiful little Church nestled near the Rockies in Colorado. God used those truth filled messages over the last year to continue His promised work in our lives. The Holy Spirit's work is quite unique as it can step so solidly on our toes and yet at the same time it is as soothing as aloe extract. :) 

To make our lengthly sweet story of God's faithfulness a bit concise.... we found out on the way to Colorado that the cottage wouldn't be ready...;) After staying in a hotel for 3 weeks, God opened up the charming rancher, backed to open farmland and practically lakefront ( where the boys can fish), for us to call home. It doesn't have beautiful wrap around porches...it has a sun room. :) It has the sunrise and sunset views too. ;)  

God has been good...lest I paint a false picture, I will say (without details) that it has not all been a piece of cake, BUT, I will hasten to add, God has been faithful as He said He would. When we couldn't go any father, the waters did part. Trust Him, my friend. He is just as faithful today as yesterday and we rest in the Truth that He will be just as faithful tomorrow.

As for the memory game we played last week, it held new meaning. We remembered our trust in something we couldn't yet see and now we see what God actually did... I'd like the kids to make more "current" memory cards!! 

The matching cards with a picture of a moving truck which says:

"He hath made everything beautiful in a His time" Ecclesiastes 3:11a

"God's fingers can touch nothing but to mold it into loveliness." -James Mc Donald

That is so true and we are tasting the beauty of that still~we love living here!! And the smile still tugs and wants to spread into a full blown one with laughter...

To follow peace and then to live in the delight of that is restful and refreshing!!

The verse for God finding us a house card says, " Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory. " Ephesians 3 :20-21 NIV

That is pure Truth!! We could never have guessed we would actually live in charming Windsor only a few miles from Church.  And we don't feel boxed in, as there is open land behind our house and farmland beyond. We love it here and while we were worrying all the way in Florida, this house wasn't even available yet!! And as Mike told the kiddos "God threw in the mountain views and lake just because He can!!" :)

Notice that Cameron drew our new home with views of the mountains and we have them. ;) He was probably actually picturing us in the mountains!! ;)

A reminder about our adoption...If you missed the announcement see our older post,  "Twice the Blessing and Double the Expectancy!"

 You will find a donation button at the top right of this page and we thank you in advance for your gift of any amount as God prompts you. If you prefer to write a check out to our Church and receive a tax deductible receipt you may make checks payable to: "Ellerslie Mission Society" and be sure to note on the memo blank that it is: "Groff family adoption". The address is: 655 Southwood Lane  Windsor, Co. 80550. Thank you and God bless you!!

Something Real

After a moving concert last week,of orphaned kids from around the world, (His Little Feet Ministry)

  it's not the reminder of the blessings I have, that made a head on collision impact on my soul, but the reminder of my responsibility to the staggering number of kids that still doesn't have these gifts, but cry every day desperately wanting...desperately needing...them.

 I carry with me not only the inspiration from my soul being pointed heavenward by these precious kids. But I carry with me an aching heart....a tiny tiny piece of their pain. To me the pain in my chest is great. But in reality, I have only glimpsed of their suffering. I haven't actually unlaced my shoes and traded with them... As tears brimmed my eyes and rain down my cheeks, it was my whole heart laying "outside of myself" bare to the orphan suffering. 

It's interesting, but in last Sunday's sermon, our Pastor shared that resting in God is not passitivity, but how when you rest in God, it's "getting somewhere" and true enough, it's wherever GOD takes you. There's fire involved as God takes what we give Him and allow Him to turn up the heat, and as silver is tried and purified, we are also. He puts His burning passion within our soul and reminders like this concert is the ladle with which He stirs the embers of our heart.

 By the time the kids sang, "Go Light Your Candle" I had a firm, hasting, resounding, "YES!!!!!!" ringing from deep deep within my soul. And as Mary, I open up my alabaster oil and pour it lovingly on the precious feet of my Saviour, as in mesmerized awe, weeping....and as I give Him more of myself, I recieve more of Himself. What is more of myself? It is whatever that I've been holding onto selfishly. It may be something even meaningful, but still unsurrendered. I know what more of myself was...

 I felt the strainer skim off the impurities of my soul, just as silver. The melting process, is painful. But oh so very beautiful. Ironically, it's life giving. Satan has whispered so long (it's all some of us have ever known) that by giving up, we are missing out. But it's nothing like that at all!!! In giving up, it's really strange and hard to describe, but we actually recieve something very real. Something He can fill. It's not a painted up replica. It is the sacred real. 

These kids are exotic, wild pearls..waiting to be found.....

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

http://youtu.be/p3MdQP3OK4s

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog! :) We are still working on the adoption of our two sweet kiddos from South America and would be deeply blessed by your support!! We desire your prayers and if you care to give financially as a God prompts you, you will find a donation button at the top right of this page and we thank you in advance!! If you prefer to write a check out to our Church and receive a tax deductible receipt you may make checks payable to: "Ellerslie Mission Society" and be sure to note on the memo blank that it is: "Groff family adoption". The address is: 655 Southwood Lane  Windsor, Co. 80550. Another important note is that we have taken important steps insuring the accountability and the awesome responsibility of your monetary gift. The funds are being monitored by TLC Foundation, C/O Mr. Trevor Collins - 970-396-3811.  Your gift is important to us and we have diligently worked to make it secure. Thank you and God bless you!!

Twice the Blessing and Double the Expectancy....!!!! ;)

Here I sit in a lovely little coffee shop nestled in a charming town in Colorado.... A lot has transpired in our little family's life as we moved from our lovely home in Florida. We have tasted immeasurably of God's provision, His grace and His love, as we mostly, in faith, took this step to where we knew He wanted us to be...it was a step we wanted to take as well!! :) But leaving what is familiar and what is precious behind are all the things in life that has a way of growing us, of causing us to become a little more dependent on our Abba Papa. And as we walk a path with our hand clasped in His we find ourself becoming just a little more childlike in our trust.

We have exciting news on the horizon...you know, that place in life we look ahead to. I'm one of those "horizon gazers". For years now, almost every morning I set my gaze on that beautiful eastern horizon expectantly.... ;) We serve a very great God and I anticipate His daily work of art! I mean, the colors He mixes and the astounding beauty of every different sunrise~can mere words describe the awe-ness?!!! Now we find ourself, as a family, looking ahead expectantly to a different horizon...

          M and M  (Taken Christmas 2013 at our house.)                                      

Many of you know, (see previous posts), that this past December our family had the honor, the overflowing of joy and the falling in love experience, as two precious kiddos from South America spent almost the whole month in our home. What was ours, became theirs as they nestled into the life experiences of what it means to be a family...oh my, the immediate bonding as our 5 kids and these 2 kiddos became brothers and sisters. They called us Papa Mike and Mama, but as the weeks wore on and we were just a little family together celebrating Christmas and shopping, going to larger family get togethers etc. and they caught on to what our kids called us, we began to hear the precious sound of "daddy" and "mommy".

These kiddos gave us the most precious gift. They gave us the opportunity to feel Papa God's heartbeat. If ever we saw the love-gaze of our Saviour it has been in our bonding with these kids.
There is so much to say...so much to not say...(like the mother of Jesus, I find it precious how she, pondered "all these things" in her heart...those sacred moments, the tasting richer of our precious Saviour.)

Our family is excitedly taking the steps to give these sweet children a forever family. We are filled with peace, great anticipation and longing to bring our kiddos home to us! We are blessed to be granted by their Country to Skype with them regularly. They and us count that as our favorite thing to look forward to!

Feel free to follow this blog on updates and also how you can be an eternal blessing in the lives of these kids, We expect God to do big things to make this possible. He ask, in His Word, for us to place the orphaned into our families. We are honored to be their family, their protector. To be able to continually point them to Jesus Christ who loves them so much that He gave
His own life so that they can receive life! Amazing love!!! As an important note, these children have asked Jesus to live in their hearts almost a year and a half ago! So, as children of God, they are expecting their prayers answered I'm sure! And your prayers and support will be a milestone in that journey!! How exciting!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our adoption! You will find a donation button at the top right of this page and we thank you in advance for your gift of any amount as God prompts you. Your gift is important to us and we have diligently worked to make it secure. Thank you and God bless you!!

                         

The Prodigal's Gift

What makes a place a home? Is it the familiar sound of the distant owl and the lonely yet intriguing call that drifts on the early morning air? What about just knowing my little ones are tucked safely and sleeping with sweet 
dreams in their little beds and that even if I closed my eyes I know eactly where each room is, each piece of furniture? Is it the familiar day in and day out schedule? Is it laughter and all the good  times we share as a
 family? Is home where I have perfected my surroundings, my possessions to exactly how I want them? 

I house within my body the most exploding in preciousness gift~the Lord Jesus. I know that because I can lay my head down at night and "It is well with my soul'" that anywhere can be home. Home isn't about the amount of things I have and neither is it about the amount of things I don't have. Home is something peaceful. It is warmth and it is the place that has a magnetic pull in which I'd rather be there more than anywhere else. Often it is people that make up home..

But with that I say, there are people all around us that know not the emotional warmth of a "home" and even tho' they live in a "house structure", God has asked us, His bride, to give them a "home". They are hungry, not only for food, but for the security that comes with acceptance. They long to be protected and feel its comfort as a blanket about them.  They long to be clothed in the garment of peace, knowing they are loved for, provided for and nestled in safety. To feel the slow smile of joy slide across their face knowing they have found a "sweet home sweet home".  Or the spontaneous exploding joy when they discover a God who loves them so much!! 

And each of us, as the prodigal, have found our way to the Father's open arms... and know we are home. We now feel within His embrace the urgency to give what has been given. It's a place to be made strong so we can be poured out...its a place that gives. It is outward in its focus. A place that He can use, can fill. Its not about us anymore.. Or what we derseve. Its about Him. 

He wants to take us by the hand, as a Father, and point us to all that is truly beautiful.. Our home is then graced by His beauty, His Love and His peace. We share the honor of experiencing Him in everything! The wisp of the wind carries His voice. The sound of rain, His music. We experience the gift of a love that nothing can separate~Romans 8:35-39. We are home. Where is that? It is absolutely anywhere He is. Where is He? I can't answer that question for you. Where is He for me? He says that if we seek Him with our whole heart we will find Him. Jeremiah 13:29

With God the Impossible Becomes Possible!!

Our first Sunday with the host kiddos proved the biggest blessing!! After arriving at Church  the kids and their companion were given a ear piece for during the message where the Pastor's preaching would be translated into Spanish. It wasn't long that the older of the M's showed me what they wrote in their  notebook.
"Jehovah Spanish. Jehovah Ingles" (English). That absolutely touched the sensitive cords of my heart. This sweet child's vision of Papa God has just been broadened. God just got bigger to them.  God is both Spanish and English speaking and much much more!!! And I know God will be faithful in showing this precious child more of Himself and His very nature. Wow....

God is a big Papa God that's for sure!! One of the things that has been on my heart lately is how God loves impossibilities.. When a situation is where it seems impossible, it's right where God likes it!! How about the phrase, "Well, realistically speaking..." We serve an unrealistic God!! He's real alright, but the things He does are quite "Unreal"! I mean, He fed 5,000 + people with a couple fish and  little bit of bread!! He parted a sea to dry ground as an escape route for His people!!

I love the true story that Pastor told on Sunday. God wanted to grant this little poor woman, whose income was $200 a month, the desire of her heart. She did not ask for money as many of us might have. She asked that her two boys would find the Lord. As she was saying the words, her boys who were also in the room, were mocking her. Before she even had her request completely finished, her boys fell at her, under heavy conviction of the Holy Spirit!!!! Wow!! Unrealistic? Super-Natural? Yes! Yes! Yes! And God did it! Because He is capable of all things. I really believe that, but not just because I believe it. There are a vast variety of beliefs out, but I believe it because the Word of God is full of "unrealistic impossible situations" that God conquered.

I have been amazed lately how the stories that had God's attention and stamp of approval on, in Scripture, and are recorded to get our attention, are quite different than what gains approval in this day and age...The woman who gave one small coin while the wealthy around her gave much, was actually recorded as having given most... The woman whos oil was running low and was asked to feed the Prophet of the Lord first, found that her cooking oil jar never ran out... Mary sitting at Jesus feet, her longing for more of Him....worship....beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.....

Is it realistic? Is it possible? Can we figure it out? Those are not what is top priority on our list anymore as God leads Mike and I.. If he says walk toward a Red Sea then believe me that is the best place to walk..

As a human, I cringe inside sometimes...I long for "this situation" to just be easy, to just go smoothly.  I've wept, knowing my God would come through in particular situations, and also found myself praying, telling my Papa God that I wished I was not afraid... And you know what? He came through. Sometimes not until the verrry last minute. Actually (smile..laugh) many times not until the last minute!!


               "When we are between a rock and a grace place we know our God is there."

Meeting the Kiddos

Yesterday I felt the Father's tears well up within me. He gave our little family the beautiful opportunity to glimpse why He so tenderly cares for the orphaned child. In December we will be hosting a sibling group of kiddos from a Country nestled in South America. We have been eagerly anticipating this for months now! And last night, after months of talking about the kids and praying many prayers for them, we finally met them on Skype!:)

Oh my, thankfully, Mike started the welcomed conversation, cause I don't think I could have said much! As we waved, laughed and smiled from so far apart, and everyone excitedly saying "Hola!! Hi!!" it was just all so touching an experience!! (Today, I realized that I don't think those first initial few moments did any of us even think about our difference in languages!) Our Heavenly Father is so GOOD!!!

 Our son Michael said it seems so much more real now. We really believe God chose the kiddos that would spend 3 weeks in in our home. Earlier we received their names, then their pictures, and now we heard their childish voices- and it was absolutely one of the best and most touching and most beautiful things, I personally have ever witnessed and experienced!!

I am blessed that our kids get the opportunity to connect with God's precious children, and to feel the Father's impacting heartbeat at such a young and impressionable age! As our kids life story unfolds, they are definitely being impressed one way or another. I love the Webster's meaning of impressed;....stamp;imprint,. The dictionary meaning is focused on the mind, emotions and feelings. Now add the God stuff, such as His hidden place in our kid's heart. And through this sweet and blessed opportunity, our kid's heart, the literal bedrock of their soul, has been "impressed" or stamped and imprinted upon with what is of value to God.  It is a sacred and holy awesome thing! They have been touched by the strong influence of something spiritual...God's love for the orphaned child.

Our five sweet and energetic kids!!
And next week, Lord willing, the sweet and energetic Colombian kiddos,
will be gracing our little family with their presence!
We are in for a nosier and merrier Christmas!!! 

I am reminded again how, in reaching to these little ones, we are reaching with outstretched arms to our Heavenly Father. Hie precious Word declares that and I believe it!!

                 "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." 
                                                                      Matthew 18:5

Autumn. Blessings. Memories

I just love how Thanksgiving is the time of year when the weather is refreshingly crisp (okay to those of you in the North it's more than crisp, huh?! But memories of colorfully fallen leaves are still fresh on your memories.:))  We love the warmth of a cozy fire and spiced apple candles and I can only imagine adding autumn's rich color just before Thanksgiving!!) In the South we are still only being teased by the occasional cool days and some of us are begging for more!:) This morning is a real kicker.windy and cold! Yay!!:) I love this time of year that causes me to reflect on all that I'm truly thankful for and to savor reflectively on all our blessings, all our growth, and all the stretching that God has allowed in our life to strengthen us and grow our roots deeper in Him!! I've listed some things I am thankful for to go with these pictures, but the truth is, this list could go on and on....!:)

Birthdays! I am thankful for birthdays! The kids childish
glee over their new gift and of course their birthday
cake!!

I am thankful for banjo playing little boys! Cameron fills our house with music!!

Our future band!! Music is a regular guest and also a guest of honor in this house!!

Old fashioned apple pie! Yes, I am thankful for that!!;)

A hot cup of tea with my man! 

Gardens! Yes, I am thankful for our garden. We spend a lot of family time bantering
 with each other out there!
 And a lot of character building comes out of our gardening time!!

Blue Bell ice cream! I took this picture with Alaythia's denim and pink skirt that I was altering.
I loved how they matched! Just one of those small rewarding wonders in a stay at home mom's day!;)
So, I guess you could say in a nutshell, I am thankful for joy in  life's simple treasures!:)

I am thankful for time spent with our oldest son, Michael. :) He's now taller than his mommy!

Summer days and splashing in our pool!

Family tea time. 

Babies! I am thankful for every baby that God has graced
our home with! They have all added such richness to our lives!

I love little boys and how they notice stick guns on trails, rocks and stones
and sipping from fine china! They are definitely wondrous creations!

This past spring daddy and our eldest son were able to attend a conference
 in Colorado! Enriching time in the Word of our God! And such good fellowship!!!
We marvel at the Spiritual growth and maturity in our son's life as he chooses to embrace the truths
of God. We are so blessed by his life. 

Mother's Day!! My little family already delights in serving their mommy all year and I am
 so humbled by their love and devotion to me. It is a gift I never want to take for granted.
They also gifted me with this lovely Bosch coffee maker! 

Early mornings and coffee with my sweetheart Mike.
The quietness of the house as we visit and share from the Word.

My surprise trip by my Mike, for me to go to a woman's conference at the same campus that
he and Michael went to a month earlier! The spiritual refreshment was the sweetest experience and God stretched me so much! I wept a lot as I saw first hand the truths of our mighty and awesome God.  And I wept as I saw more clearly what is truly dearest to His heart. And that is the orphaned child. 

I am thankful for this sweet little princess. All of heaven spills forth from her spontaneous smiles and laughter....
which is often!!!

Men in Training! 
 As I gaze upon our sons and see them allowing God to tune
their hearts toward Him. Beautiful!!!

I am thankful for toys!!
And all the creative things that our children build and make and imagine in their play!!

The joy on our children's face as we delight in giving them things!!

I am thankful for all the things we do as a family!! This is homemade root beer time!
Their daddy does such a great job in keeping life interesting!!

Our date nights with our kids! I am verrry thankful for that!
This was sweet daddy and Alaythia's date.:)

Everything of "home" I'm so thankful for...as  our kids like to quote, "Sweet Home Sweet Home"!
I agree!!!
Note: The little vase of flowers were given to Alaythia by her daddy on their daddy/daughter date night!
Sweet.:)  
 She moves them all around our house! 

Our "words of blessing" little guy. 

I am thankful for our sweet baby!!

I love how our baby Branson just loves playing! It is the cutest thing how someone so
little loves his toys so much!!! He really does!

Our acreage.. Plenty of room to play and have camping and camp fires
 and gardens. We love living in the country! I am sooo thankful for that
blessing!!

Laundry flapping in the breeze as little kiddos run through it!  It was so adorable!

For every material blessing that really makes our life pleasant.

I am thankful that big bro will help make something "sweet ".

I love serving our little family and many, many times I really feel like I'm playing house!!;)

...for fresh purple basil and baskets!!

To have a good man to call mine...a good man to call our kid's daddy...a
 good man to lead us in the way of righteousness. Good to me means "everything
that is sweet and valuable".  This man's hobbies are truly "our family".  I am thankful for his unselfish Godly spirit. For the role model he is to all the boys we have been given the task to raise.  For the picture of Christ he is in our home! Thank you JESUS!!

I am thankful for the boys interest in music!!

I am thankful and honored to be Cameron's mommy! He is a kind  young man and I
 know God has good things in store for him because he loves Jesus!

...for all the adventures of little boys and trees!!

I am thankful that of all the people of the world God chose me to be my Mike's sweetheart and to mother this young flock.  He hand picked me to nurture them and add His fingerprints all over our home. And I have been the receiver of "joy" overflowing.. This past year Proverbs 31:31 stood out to me as never before. "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."    My soul  relies upon the promise of  God that we can raise a generation of blessing. My heart's desire is:
 "our children walking in Truth".


May the Lord bless you as you seek in serving Him with
your whole heart!!! And as you ,by faith ,claim His precious promises!!!